Al Fakher Two Apples

[Bawhee]

The supply of tobacco that I ahve here in Slovenia is quite shitty, so I usually buy AF two apples because it is way delicious. I sometimes buy some other flavors just to mix it up and experiment a bit but today I am left with nothing but two apples. So to make things a bit more interesting I would like to know how you guys prepare your AF two apples

My standard way is to pack it so that its kinda fluffy, (you know what i mean?) a bit over the edge of the bowl (standard egyptian), then I push it down about 1,5mm below the rim and stretch the foil (2 layers but FOLDED, never two separate strips) over the bowl and seal it as tight as I can. I poke a whole bunch of holes in circular patterns BUT I make the center hole all the way through the tobacco and the central hole in the bowl, I try to hit the rest of the air holes in the bowl too but I cant sometimes cos they arent neatly centered. Once that is done I light my coal (quicklight Nakhla 50mm) I ALWAYS cut/break it into two halves and I just put it right in the center (so its like a half moon in the center of the bowl) and smoke it without moving it AT ALL. This seems to last me about 60-75 minutes, then I remove this coal and put on another half, this one also lasts around an hour, the next two halves last 40-60 minutes (depending on windcover etc). Now you might say this is a weird way to smoke regarding heat management but believe me any more heat and it burns, I have experimented extensively.

The base is usually water with a bunch oh ice and SOMETIMES chopped up lime or lemon, occasionally a bit of milk, but I was wondering if you guys like to enhance the flavor with something more specific as I would like to enhance my smoking experience as much as I can

[Bawhee]

and btw quicklights are the only thing I can get so sadly improving coals is not an option

[vendetta_revived]

One thing that will improve your experience - STOP USING MILK IN THE VASE!

Have a good day.

[TheyCallMeDave]

Well as far as your packing, it's fine. Assuming your foil isn't heavy duty, two layers is fine. If it is heavy duty, stick to one. The packing of AF is fine.

When you have your coals, however... I think you should put the two coals on the edges of the bowl. Let the round part of the halves go with the round edge of the bowl. After that, your next two halves on the opposite sides.

You seem to have a pretty good understanding of how to smoke, looks good! ...and then I read about whats in your base. Listen to me. Do not. DO NOT. Put milk in your base. it'll cause excessive bubbling, a milk buildup in the base, a film to go around the inside of your mouth, and no, it does NOT give you thicker smoke.

as far as the lemon/lime goes, I've seen people do this. I think it can help with the flavor, some people think it doesn't. It's all a matter of preference. As for smoking it with Double Apple, I would hold off on the lemon/lime until it matches a flavor better.

I'm assuming that if you truly are from Slovenia, then it being the middle of July would mean about low 70's high 60's F(20-25C) TOPS for you guys. There's no need for ice. The only reason I would recommend ice if the temperature is if it was higher than 95F (35-40C)., to keep your hookah base from being on fire. Th truth is, the warmer the base, the more flavor comes out of what you are smoking. People like cold smoke, others like it a little warmer. I prefer mine above room temperature, this keeps the coolness and the flavor there. So bottom line, if it's a decent mild temperature over there in Slovenia, then don't even bother with ice. Just enjoy cool water in the base.

Hope this helped!

Dave

[Skoozle]

I'm a big fan of AF Two Apples because it has one of the strongest flavors I have ever found in a tobacco; and it's delicious too.

I like to pack mine a little tighter than what you described. I pack it level with the rim but keep adding tobacco untill I just get a little air flow restriction. Keep in mind that at this point it is still level with the rim so there is no need to push it down any more or compress it with the foil. Any tighter and it would cause air flow problems. I poke holes all over ant try to go through the bowl holes when I am over them; all through separate holes, not just the center hole like you.

Heat management is a personal preference, if yours works for you, mine is irrelevant.

As far as adding stuff to the base, just water for me. As Dave said, ice will reduce the flavor, although with AF Two Apples, it may not matter because the flavor is so intense. I smoke mine out of a shitty three hose chinese pipe that is not even close to airtight and the smoke quality is still great.

[ezxen]

in a apple bowl is how i like af DA

[Cp44]

You packing technique is fine and for a standard egyptian bowl I use two coco coals maybe one and a half depending how u like it. Or 1 quicklite coal, I use 3 three kings. I usually put ice or warm water in the base but never milk.

[Bawhee]

right, end result: got rid of milk altogether, ice was needed because it was 36 celsius in my room but tat wasnt really much of a problem, it smoked great as usual, I think that what Im searching for to satisfy my tastebuds is probably a different flavor, I am way too used to AF double apple... Though I must say Its quality has dropped significantly since 2 years ago.

[vendetta_revived]

Try AF Mint, and their lemon mint, peach, guava, bubblegum, golden esk apple, mint, and strawberry! And did I mention mint?

[Bawhee]

Yes sir, mint is next on my list, and I just learned I may be getting a bit of money that I can spend on anything I like without terrible consequences so AF mint here I come